as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
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Recent Examples of preliminary
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2026
One is a preliminary examination, which is like a mini trial where the prosecutors have to establish probable cause to a judge so the judge will agree to let the case proceed forward.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
The 26-year-old had, with her fourth and final effort, jumped 6.81m to ‘win’ — these were actually the preliminaries, with the top three qualifying for the final the following night at Icahn Stadium.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
That gives the yacht a top speed of 32 knots and a cruising speed of 28 knots, according to preliminary data.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2026
One is a preliminary examination, which is like a mini trial where the prosecutors have to establish probable cause to a judge so the judge will agree to let the case proceed forward.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
Santana finished a weak fourth in the preliminary.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
The 26-year-old had, with her fourth and final effort, jumped 6.81m to ‘win’ — these were actually the preliminaries, with the top three qualifying for the final the following night at Icahn Stadium.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
-
The team will first play a preparatory series in Sri Lanka which begins in two weeks’ time.—
Dominic Fifield,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
They were discovered during preparatory work for road construction.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
And so, as a prelude to solving the Navier-Stokes problem, mathematicians have searched for blowups (also called singularities) in an assortment of simplified fluid equations, such as those that operate in only one dimension.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Jan. 2026
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Previous rounds of popular unrest have also seen the government shut down communications, usually as a prelude to an all-out crackdown.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And many banks offer zero-percent APR cards, which typically provide cards with no interest for an introductory period of, say, 12 to 15 months.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
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Or head to the Bergman Bowl for introductory bowl skiing, which boasts one green run above the treeline (for more experienced beginners).—
Alison Fox,
Outside,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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